October is National Arts and Humanities Month. At Art in Action, this is especially relevant as the 108 lessons across our curriculum invoke a deep appreciation of both Arts and Humanities. The art connection is obvious. But I wanted to check my confidence in our ability to deliver on a robust study of the humanities. So I went to the website of the National Endowment for the Humanities. I found two things of specific interest there. The first was their definition of the humanities: "the study and interpretation of... language...literature...history... archaeology...and the history, criticism and theory of the arts, reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and [its relation to] the current conditions of national life."

Well, Art in Action certainly nails this description. The works of art that our teachers and parent docents present in the classroom feature student discussions about history, literature, archeology, art theory (and yes, criticism too: Pollack, Rauschenberg and Warhol, among others, raise all kinds of questions about what art is...or could be). And the relevance of the humanities to the conditions of national (and global) life is a common theme in art. This is one of the reasons why a visual arts program like ours integrates so well with the Common Core Standards where making connections between the past and present, and art, literature, and language plays such a large role in the new education paradigm.

The second item that caught my eye on the NEH website was this statement, "Due to the unavailability of appropriated funds to continue the operations of the [NEH], the agency has been shut down." So with a simple (in)action of the government, the agency charged with encouraging, celebrating and focusing on the humanities is closed. As is the National Endowment for the Arts. And the Smithsonian. While I realize that this is (hopefully), a temporary condition, it is unfortunately a condition that advocates of art in schools know too well. 

Art shutdowns at the state, county, district and school levels happen all the time.  When there is a funding debate, just like in Congress, the easiest (although certainly not smartest) option, is just to shut art down. Now we all know that this is a risky business as the connections that art delivers, the joy of learning it engenders, and the clear skills that it provides, are like the keystone in an arch. Pull it out and the stones may still be standing, but their combined strength is gone.

By the time you read this, I hope the government will be funding the Arts and Humanities once again. But many schools will still go without art. This is where you come in.  Art in Action is poised and ready to fill that gap with our easy-to implement, affordable and high-quality visual arts program. With your donation of needed funds, we can help ensure art can thrive for students and schools who need it now.  Please consider a donation to our Annual Fund today. 

Modern Nature:Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George Sat., Feb. 22, 2014 at 8:45 am (before the museum is open to the public) at the de Young Museum, San Francisco. Register now